A Neighborhood Kombucha Brewery in Washington, D.C.

INSPIRED BY CRAFT BEER × co-founded by a dog

Our Story

It all started with a dog...

Craft Kombucha founder Tanya Maynigo-Loucks has been drinking and brewing kombucha for over a decade. Starting as an avid kombucha drinker, she quickly made the transition to an enthusiastic kombucha brewer. One day in 2013, she accidentally made fifteen gallons of kombucha, far more than her family could drink on their own. So, she turned to the friends that she had made in her new neighborhood of Mount Pleasant, through walks and playtime with her dog, Guinness. In a short time, these friends encouraged her to take her hobby to the professional level, and had spread the word that a skilled kombucha brewer had joined the neighborhood. It was the support of this community that helped Tanya and her co-founder, Guinness, to launch their own brand of kombucha.

And so, Craft Kombucha was born. Keeping true to her roots, Tanya started her micro-brewery in the back kitchen of Mount Pleasant’s historic Heller’s Bakery. Staying close to home, she set up shop at the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market, where she quickly gained a loyal following. While Craft Kombucha has expanded to other locations since, Mount Pleasant and the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market will always be home to the Craft Kombucha family.

Inspired by her love for craft beer and the craft brewing industry, her vision was to create a brand with a similar feel. The result was a seasonal, creative, refreshing, and healthy kombucha made with a blend of high-antioxidant green teas. Craft Kombucha’s signature line of flavors is the Hops Series, follow the influence of our favorite craft breweries. These flavors are created using craft beer brewing techniques to create the perfect blend of hops flavor and the unique taste of kombucha.

Our extensive lineup of seasonal flavors mean that there is a flavor of Craft Kombucha for everyone out there, not just craft beer enthusiasts. You can choose from classic flavors such as Ginger, Grapefruit and Elderflower, more exotic flavors like Acaí, or even one of our seasonal collaborations with other DC Makers. Stop by during our taproom in Union Market to see which flavor is for you!

WHAT IS KOMBUCHA?

Kombucha is a raw, fermented, naturally carbonated tea with its origins in ancient China. During the Qin Dynasty in 220 BC, it was consumed as a health elixir for vitality and strength. From China it traveled via the Silk Road to Japan, Korea, and then Russia in the nineteenth century, where it was called tea kvass. Kombucha is made with water, tea, sugar and a fermenting culture called a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). The culture consumes and ferments the sweetened tea for 7 to 10 days, resulting in a naturally fizzy beverage rich in probiotics and beneficial acids that help detoxify the body.

WHY CRAFT KOMBUCHA?

Craft Kombucha brings together the powerful proven health benefits of a high antioxidant blend of green teas (including Matcha green tea), fresh, natural, or organic juices, and the effective probiotic and detoxifying effects of kombucha to produce a light and refreshing beverage. Craft Kombucha is low in sugar and full of beneficial nutrients that aid in the digestive process, improve liver function, boost the immune system and support body alkalinity. People who drink it on a regular basis have reported feeling increased energy and a general feeling of well-being.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I DRINK?

When drinking kombucha for the first time, it's best to start by drinking one small glass per day or sip on a large glass over several hours. Try this for a few days to allow your body to adjust. Kombucha is a raw probiotic drink, so if you have a sensitive stomach, take it with food to start. Once your body is used to drinking kombucha, you can drink it as often as you like, whenever you like, depending on the desired effects and your lifestyle.